Ch. 14 Flashcards
(100 cards)
What is the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP)?
Metabolic pathway in which glucose-6-P is oxidized then decarboxylated, generating ribulose-5-P and NADPH
Where does the PPP occur?
In the cytoplasm
What are the important functions of the PPP?
- Reduce 2 molecules of NADP+ to NADPH for each molecule of glucose-6-P that is oxidatively decarboxylated to ribulose-5-P
- Produce ribose-5-P from glucose-6-P
What does NADPH function as?
A strong reductant (electron donor)
What is the [NAD+]/[NADH] in liver cells?
~1000
What is the [NADP+]/[NADPH] in liver cells?
0.01
What are the 2 phases of the PPP?
- Oxidative
- Non-oxidative
Flux through both phases of the PPP is regulated to meet what 3 metabolic states?
- If increased NADPH is required
- If nucleotide pools need to be replenished
- If ATP levels in the cell are low
What happens in the PPP if increased NADPH is required?
Fructose-6-P and glyceraldehyde-3-P are used to resynthesize glucose-6-P, thereby maintaining flux through the oxidative phase
What happens if nucleotide pools need to be replenished?
The bulk of ribulose-5-P is converted to ribose-5-P, stimulating nucleotide biosynthesis
What does the PPP accomplish for the cell? (i.e. what are its functions)
- Generate NADPH (needed in lots of pathways and to detox ROS)
- Produce ribose-5-P for nucleotide synthesis
- Regenerate glucose-6-P (to maintain NADPH production)
What is the over all net reaction of the PPP?
6 Glucose-6-P + 12 NADP+ + 6 H2O –>
4 Fructose-6-P + 2 Glyceraldehyde-3-P + 12 NADPH + 12 H+ + 6 CO2
What are the key enzymes in the PPP?
- G6PD
- Transketolase and transaldolase
What is G6PD?
The enzyme that catalyzes the initial step in the PPP, converts glucose-6-P to 6-phosphogluconolactone
- Commitment step
- Feedback inhibited by NADPH
What is transketolase?
The enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of 2-carbon units among sugars in the PPP
What is transaldolase?
The enzyme the catalyzes the transfer of 3-carbon units among sugars in the PPP
What do transketolase and transaldolase do together?
Catalyze the reversible carbon shuffle reactions of the non-oxidative phase
What are examples of the PPP in everyday biochemistry?
G6PD deficiency
- Most common enzyme deficiency in the world
- Affects >400 million people
- 90% decrease in enzyme activity results in inability of RBCs to make enough NADPH to protect the cells from ROS
- ROS generated by antimalarial drugs and compounds in fava beans
Which reaction(s) in the oxidative phase of the PPP is/are reversible?
- Lactonase
Which reaction(s) in the oxidative phase of the PPP is/are NOT reversible?
- G6PD
- 6PGD (6-Phosphogluconolactonate dehydrogenase)
Since glucose-6-P is a substrate for glycolysis and the PPP, what controls the overall metabolic flux through these pathways?
The [NADP+]/[NADPH] in the cytosol
- Acts as a rheostat to regulate G6PD activity
What is glutathione (GSH)?
Reduced form is an electron donor in redox reactions
What are the electrons from GSH used for?
- To keep cysteine residues in hemoglobin in a reduced state
- To reduce ROS and hydroxyl free radicals that damage proteins and lipids via oxidation-induced cleavage reactions
What is primaquine?
Antimalarial drug that causes oxidative stress in RBCs, which creates a hostile environment for the malaria parasite
- Leads to acute hemolytic anemia in people with a G6PD deficiency